My nominee for our region's most under recruited player is Cardozo's 5'9" pointman Dwayne Johnson. This past season, he was the heady leader who steered the Judges to a 14-0 league mark in route to a berth in the PSAL final against Lincoln. He made great decisions while leading a balanced team that included fellow seniors Nick Flagg and Skyler Khaleel as well as juniors Theo Davis and Vic Morris, while keeping defenses honest with his own ability and toughness to make important shots. On a team where Davis, the talented Canadian big man, and Morris, the terrific lefty shooter garnered most of the headlines, Johnson was without question, the team's most valuable player. He got the ball to his talented team mates in spots where they could score, delivered it on time and on target to Morris from deep, made shots when his team needed, and gave them the poise and confidence to win close games. I can only speculate that the teams that have shown interest (and there has been some contact from low majors but according to coach Naclerio no firm offers) have hesitated because of his height. Well...anyone who watches him and does not see past his physical stature is making a mistake. He's strong, smart, and capable of making good choices while pushing the ball up fast. Also, he is a pesky on ball defender, and can be very good in a press both on the ball, and off it because he's so quick and alert. Any low major, and even some programs at higher levels who may be looking for a steady hand as a reserve point guard, are missing a chance to get a smart player and an outstanding on court leader

Infinitely more important than the great job he did on the basketball court is the even better job he's done in the classroom. He maintains a solid C+ average in the courses needed to satisfy the NCAA's core cirriculum at one of the city's most academically demanding schools. and he's scored 1030 on his SAT meaning that he's qualified for freshman participation with room to spare.

As I have in the past I must again lament the way many coaches seem to pay lip service to doing things "the right way" both on the court and in the classroom, but often do not put those words into practice when making decisions about scholarships. Dwayne Johnson has done everything asked of him both on and off the court and, according to his coach who has more contacts than anyone, can't find any firm offers. If any assistant coach should read this, please go to www.psal.org and read Cardozo's school profile. You won't find a more helpful coach than Ron Naclerio or a better kid than DJ.'